Mozilla is 'Extremely Disappointed' With Implementation of Apple's EU Browser Engine Change

[MacRumors]

In iOS 17.4, Apple is making a number of changes to iOS to comply with the Digital Markets Act in the European Union. One of these updates will see Apple allowing alternate browser engines, with WebKit no longer required for third-party browsers like Firefox and Chrome.

While support for alternative browser engines sounds like a win for browser companies, Mozilla spokesperson Damiano DeMonte told The Verge that Firefox is "extremely disappointed" with the way Apple is implementing the feature because it does not extend to the iPad.

"We are still reviewing the technical details but are extremely disappointed with Apple's proposed plan to restrict the newly-announced BrowserEngineKit to EU-specific apps. The effect of this would be to force an independent browser like Firefox to build and maintain two separate browser implementations -- a burden Apple themselves will not have to bear."

Firefox uses the Gecko engine and could swap to that on the iPhone, but it would need to continue using WebKit on the iPad. According to DeMonte, Apple's implementation of the DMA does not give consumers "viable choices" because it makes it "as painful as possible" for companies to provide alternatives to Safari.

Article Link: Mozilla is 'Extremely Disappointed' With Implementation of Apple's EU Browser Engine Change

 

[oofio2461]

Why are browsers required to run on the WebKit engine in the first place? WebKit limits Firefox so much that you can't use a ad blocker, it's just safari reskins at that point.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Ugh ..

C'mon Apple

What a crock

iPhone, but not iPad?

I'm so sick of Apple's games

 

[zakarhino]

They're right, Apple are playing crybaby -- in particular not allowing alternative browser engines on iPad because it's not 'iOS.' What a ridiculous move.

I've vacillated between supporting EU and Apple in this scenario because I understand both perspectives. Ultimately I think our devices should be as free and open as the end user sees fit.

If Apple were *motivated* to support more app stores and browser engines, they could figure out an elegant way to do so whilst remaining competitive. If this EU system seems clunky and disjointed, know that it's because Apple have intentionally made it so. We live in a world where you have to pick between Android or iOS. Period. Anyone claiming you can simply choose not to use those devices is not a serious person. Apple and Google cannot have a totalitarian say over what these devices can and cannot do.

Look at how many devs choose the Mac App Store when other app stores and independent release systems exist. They choose it because it's genuinely a good option on both the part of the developer and end user.

Also "security concerns" regarding alternative app stores sound mostly unfounded considering what makes iOS devices secure and private is the sandboxing and permissions system which works on a system level, Apple 'reviewing' each app that gets submitted to the App Store is mostly to check for content violations rather than malicious code I think. See macOS as an example and that's an even more difficult system to keep secure/private because software can optionally run helper processes at a root level.

 

[klasma]

Why are browsers required to run on the WebKit engine in the first place? WebKit limits Firefox so much that you can't use a ad blocker, it's just safari reskins at that point.

Because a non-WebKit browser app could choose to make any iOS function that is available to apps also available to web applications, which in turn would allow to implement web applications with basically the same functionality and platform integration as native applications. This, in turn, would deprive Apple of revenue from their App Store.

 

[ericthered926]

This is all leaving a really bad taste. If this is their attitude towards developers, why should people keep developing for their platforms 😓

 

[contacos]

Why are browsers required to run on the WebKit engine in the first place? WebKit limits Firefox so much that you can't use a ad blocker, it's just safari reskins at that point.

The whole business model of Apple is basically „keeping everything to ourselves“ in the name of „privacy“ when it’s actually just all about 💰💰💰 Apple doesn’t care about what is convenient to us as a end user really.

It’s also quite interesting how you hear so little from Alphabet and Meta, which have actually way more gatekeeper restrictions put upon themselves but they are not crying as much about it.

Is it just me or does the whole thing take away their buzz from the Vision Pro?

 

[turbineseaplane]

This is all leaving a really bad taste. If this is their attitude towards developers, why should people keep developing for their platforms 😓

Apple are really sending a clear message -- massive and much stronger regulation needs to come in to deal with their behavior.

Responding in these childish ways to regulation is straight pissing into the wind

They are every bit Microsoft of the 2000's, and honestly getting even worse.

 

[Scipster]

Out of curiosity, does WebKit offer greater security or privacy than Gecko or Blink?

 

[AppleTO]

So non-webkit browsers are only allowed in the EU, and only on iPhones. I can’t see many companies wanting to maintain a separate browser codebase for just this.

 

[purplerainpurplerain]

Out of curiosity, does WebKit offer greater security or privacy than Gecko or Blink?

Mostly speed and energy efficiency favours Safari. A browser’s other features handle security.

 

[OrenLindsey]

So they were happier before? Any opening up of any platform in any way is good. They should be celebrating the (small) victory this was, not complaining about how they want more. It's a good attitude to have in general, especially with Apple's 2 steps forward, 1 step back approach to opening up their platforms. You'd always be complaining otherwise.

 

[XXPP]

Why would anyone use another browser like Safari?
When I use an Android device, I always dream of going back to safari.

 

[ignatius345]

Is anybody surprised? Apple has clearly only opened up these options under pain of regulation, and you can bet they'll only do that to the extent legally required. They believe that more lock-in makes their platform stronger and makes them more money, and until that changes, they'll be doing exactly what they're doing: complying with the letter of the law and looking for any and all loopholes they can.

 

[klasma]

Why would anyone use another browser like Safari?
When I use an Android device, I always dream of going back to safari.

One reason is to use extensions like uBlock Origin. Another reason is if you also use non-Apple devices and want to sync your browser tabs and history and bookmarks etc. across ecosystems.

 

[seggy]

Apple are really sending a clear message -- massive and much stronger regulation needs to come in to deal with their behavior.

Responding in these childish ways to regulation is straight pissing into the wind

They are every bit Microsoft of the 2000's, and honestly getting even worse.

They're *way* worse than Microsoft was - they're significantly more creative than MS was back then.

I do hope we can rein Apple in to a significantly more cooperative entity like Microsoft (even now they're still looking over their shoulder) but I think it might be too late.

(The post has since been edited by a moderator, I'm not going to readd the missing content so don't bother reacting since it no longer has enough context)

 

[erikkfi]

I love you, Apple, but this week has made it really hard to support you.

 

[XXPP]

One reason is to use extensions like uBlock Origin. Another reason is if you also use non-Apple devices and want to sync your browser tabs and history and bookmarks etc. across ecosystems.

Please tell me how can I install uBlock Origin in chrome for android.

 

[icanhazmac]

I wonder how many EU consumers were clamoring for all this governmental overreach? My guess, 3.

Edit: ok, at least 12 for @klasma , I wasn't that far off.

 

[1129846]

Out of curiosity, does WebKit offer greater security or privacy than Gecko or Blink?

Offers less. Issue with Webkit is it is behind the times and not being kept up with modern standards.

 

[klasma]

Please tell me how can I install uBlock Origin in chrome for android.

You can install it in Firefox for Android.

 

[GMShadow]

Why are browsers required to run on the WebKit engine in the first place? WebKit limits Firefox so much that you can't use a ad blocker, it's just safari reskins at that point.

iOS has had ad blockers since iOS 9.

 

[tomtad]

Apple seriously, stop f**king about and implement this properly. It’s an absurdity that all browsers on iOS have to run WebKit at this point anyway, just make it the same everywhere.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Please tell me how can I install uBlock Origin in chrome for android.

You can install it in Firefox on android.

 

[Terrinb]

Ugh ..

C'mon Apple

What a crock

iPhone, but not iPad?

I'm so sick of Apple's games

Ugh ..

C'mon Apple

What a crock

iPhone, but not iPad?

I'm so sick of Apple's games

So go buy another phone. Everyone bought an iPhone and developed for an iPhone knowing Apple’s policies and closed nature. The EU sucks and clearly has it in for Apple.